Hi Susun,
I have been experiencing dryness in my vagina during intercourse, more so than ever before. I just read that it can be associated with menopause, which I am going through now. Aside from a lubricating gel, are there any foods or herbs that can help me with this? Thank you SO much…

Susun’s response:
Here is the Wise Woman Way for dealing with vaginal dryness:

Step 1. Collect information . . .

We are given two contradictory pictures of post-menopausal sex. On one hand, we’re to look forward to freedom from conception worries, resulting in more spontaneous, relaxed, joyful sex filled with multiple orgasms. On the other hand, we’re to expect dried-up, atrophied vaginas and dyspareunia (painful intercourse).

Thinning and drying of the vaginal tissues in the post-menopausal years is often first noticed during sexual activity when the expected lubrication is slight or absent. Is this normal?

Yes; almost all post-menopausal women will experience a lessening of sexual lubrication. No, you don’t have to give up your sexual self. Crones know there are many ways to ecstasy besides intercourse, and many ways to be slippery when we want to be.

This yoga posture sounds simple, but requires concentration. Squeeze the anal/pelvic floor muscles firmly while inhaling; hold. Breathe out, holding the root lock and add a chin lock. Hold for two seconds. Visualize the nectar of the universe flowing down your spine and between your legs. Relax as you inhale.

Slowly, slowly. Give yourself plenty of time to warm up before inserting anything into your vagina.

Step 3. Nourish and tonify . . .

Eat more fat, especially foods rich in essential fatty acids, such as sardines, plantain seeds, organic butter, and fresh purslane. Most women notice a difference in a few weeks.

Comfrey root sitz bath (two quarts/liters of the infusion) is an old favorite for keeping vaginal tissues flexible, strong, and soft. Sitz for 5–10 minutes several times a week.

Drink more water, not more tea or coffee or juice or soda . . . water. Or boil a small handful of rice in two cups/500 ml of water to make a thin broth regarded as an ideal internal moistener for women with dry vaginal tissues or dry mouths. Drink freely.

As part of your love play, chew on a small piece of dong quai root.

• Pause for the soothing cooling touch of chickweed tincture, 25–40 drops in water, several times a day for 2–4 weeks, and see if your hot, dry vaginal tissues don’t smile moistly.

• Comfrey ointment is the ally of choice when skin needs flexible strength. Rub in the morning and night and use as a lubricant for love play. The vulva will be noticeably plumper and moister within three weeks.

If you have access to slippery elm, try this soothing vaginal gel. Slowly heat 2 tablespoons/30 ml slippery elm powder in a cup/250 ml of water, stirring until thick. Cool (you can even chill it) before spreading over and inside the vulva and vagina. This gel lubricates, heals, and nourishes.

Exercise, exercise. Every part of your body will age more gracefully if you work it out regularly. That goes for your vagina and vulva, too. Weekly orgasm is the recommended exercise, but daily pelvic floor exercises tonify the vaginal tissues.

You are more likely to be troubled by vaginal dryness and the loss of lubrication if your adrenals have been exhausted by overuse of coffee, alcohol, and white sugar; severe stress; or steroid/cortisone drugs.

Herbalist Rina Nissim suggests applying the essential oil of Salvia sclarea to vaginal tissues that have lost their elasticity. Dilute with olive oil; pure essential oils can be fierce on sensitive mucous surfaces.

Step 5a. Use supplements . . .

Daily doses of 100–600 IU of vitamin E for 4–6 weeks can help you increase vaginal lubrication. You may need to continue with your daily dose for months to maintain your juiciness. Experiment to find the lowest effective dose for you.

Astroglide™ is favored by those who like to have slippery fun.

Step 5b. Use drugs . . .

Polycarbophil, the active ingredient in Replens™ pulls water into vaginal cells, to restore and maintain healthy lubrication. It also increases alkalinity in the vagina, reducing vaginal infections.

Estrogen creams really do revitalize vaginal tissue. But may increase risk of endometrial cancer more than oral estrogen. Occasional, rather than regular, use minimizes risk.

“You have been wet and fertile at the will and whim of your body for most of your years, great- granddaughter,” murmurs Grandmother Growth. “But you have Changed. You grow moist with readiness for play now only when you truly desire it, not at reproduction’s dictates. Have no fear that your springs have run dry. If you consciously call up your flood of pleasure, it will answer. This is one of my greatest gifts to you, young Crone. No longer will you be accessible to those who do not inspire love and trust in you. The great portals of life, your womb, your vagina, now serve only you, now open only at your bidding.”

Comments

Testerone treatments can be very effective in rejuvenating the female libido. Just as boosting testerone levels can be very effective for reinvigorating men, it can also work to your benefit, provided you take them in the right dosages.

Nazma

February 22, 2011 at 9:07 am

Hi Ladies

I also suffer from Vaginal Dryness. I didn’t know there were so many natural treaments out there. I’ve found that medical lubrications only offer short term relief.

After a recent trip in Bali, Indonesia earlier this year, I found this problem is much more well known there than here in England, and much more openly discussed and treated. They actually have Vaginal Spas to help women with problems down below!! Whether it be to help with
symptoms of menopause, or problems during or after pregnancy, they had a number of options to choose from.

So I decided to book myself in. I went in for a basic treatment where herbs are burnt and smoked up into the vagina whilst you sit on a chair with a hole in it. These herbs are known for their moisturising
and nourishing properties. The ladies said to me that it helps moisten the vaginal walls and helps increase the amount of natural lubrication produced by the body. It also helps iliminate odours and actually claims to help tighten the vaginal opening by regaining natural
elasticity of the pelvic and vaginal muscles. I cannot believe the difference it has made to my life, I no longer feel dry and irritated below. Intercourse is now much more comfortable and me and my boyfriend no longer need to use lubrication. We have also noticed a difference in my ‘tightness’ and intercourse has been very pleasurable for both of us. It doesn’t require taking anything or applying and creams or gels inside and its all natural. Most women just sit quiet with this kind of problem so I thought I have to tell everyone I can.

They also sell this treatment as a package containing a packet of herbs, charcoal and a mini stove with holes in it which you squat over for about 15mins. It is known as Dudus Wangi. It is not available here, but I managed to bring over a few packs, so that’ll help me for a while :). And each pack lasts for about 4 sessions, and it only needs to be used once every week or two weeks depening on how you’re feeling down there.

If you would like to know more about Dudus Wangi please feel free to contact me on naz@gilatimur.co.uk.

Thanks for taking the time to read my long message :). Take Care

Nazma

GalinaBum

April 3, 2017 at 9:33 am

But it can also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules, or in other cells within the breast.

variant5

Leave a reply

Susun Weed

CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW QUESTIONS

Susun is the voice of the Wise Woman tradition and is known internationally as an extraordinary teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge of herbs and health. For more than thirty years she has been restoring herbs as women's common medicine, empowering women to care for themselves.

Susun has appeared on national television and radio, including National Public Radio (NPR), NBC News and CNN.

She raises dairy goats, trains apprentices, and oversees the work of more than four hundred correspondence course students. She is also the editor-in-chief of Ash Tree Publishing, founder of the Wise Woman Center, creator of five websites, and author of several books on women’s health.

Please note: In this column, Planet Thrive presents answers taken from previously published works of Susun's that relate directly to the question being posed. Susun Weed will answer member questions as her schedule allows. In some cases, Karen Joy (Susun Weed's apprentice) may answer questions on Susun's behalf.
This content is not intended to replace conventional western medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material in this column is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health and healthcare.
All content copyrighted by Susun Weed and may appear on her website and in other published works. For permission to reuse her material, please email her through SusunWeed.com.

Disclaimer:

Please note: Planet Thrive is currently funded by Google sponsored ads located beneath the articles posted on our site and affiliate partnerships. We do not control Google ads content and our editorial content is free of any commercial influence. Any information collected by our website, such as email address when posting comments to articles, will never be passed on to any third party, unless required by law. Click the following links to read the privacy policy and terms of service for the community section of our site, hosted by Ning, Inc.